According to our Constitution, the United States government has very specific limitations. There are things which fall into its bailiwick, and everything else is left to citizens and the states. This is part of what it is means to be a free citizenry, the ability to make choices for ourselves. Among our constitutionally protected rights is the right to bear arms.

Earlier this month, we heard about the Wilson family. Foster care and adoption had been in their plan from the time they were married. It was how they intended to build their family. When they applied to be foster parents, however, they were denied due to a state regulation that prohibits carrying a loaded weapon if you are keeping foster children. The Wilsons have concealed carry permits.

To a reasonable person, that adds an extra layer of security. Not only the safety provided by the firearm itself, but the fact that the Wilsons had to undergo a background check to receive their concealed carry permit. “It just doesn’t make sense,” Brian Wilson told Fox & Friends. “We’re talking about law-abiding people, people who have had background checks.”

They are working on fighting the law that is keeping children in foster care while loving families long to take them in. “It really is heartbreaking because these kids are in institutionalized homes,” Valerie Wilson told Fox & Friends, “they aren’t getting the families that they deserve.”

Days after that story broke, a family court tried to force a Washington father to remove all guns and ammunition until his daughter is 18, a direct affront to his Constitutional rights. Kurt and Andrea, who were never married, have a 2-year old daughter identified as “M.A.R.R.” When her parents separated, Kurt was awarded custody. He had a collection of 11 firearms, which were kept in a locked safe in his bedroom. Despite these safety measures, the judge told Kurt to remove all guns and ammunition from the home within 24 hours, and further said that they were not allowed back into the home until M.A.R.R. was 18 years old. Fortunately, Kurt appealed, and the court found in his favor, protecting his rights as protected under the Second Amendment.

Justice was served in Kurt’s case, and we can hope that they Wilson’s case will have the same outcome. However, it is troubling that this is a discussion happening in America. It is not the governments job to dictate the details of parenting, and it is definitely not the government’s prerogative to require that parents choose between raising children and exercising their constitutional rights. These are bellwether cases for the Second Amendment.